The west system and other brand epoxies have an warning as to some people
developing an sensitivity or allergic reaction to the epoxy , the only cure
is to avoid it . Check out their safety sheet.

Sal

"SkipGundlach" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi, y'all.

I assume that there are several here who have successfully dealt with
the problem I have:

I seem to have developed a sensitiviy/allergy to West System epoxy
sanding dust, or perhaps fiberglass.

Over the time we were working on the bottom of Flying Pig (now
launched, hooray!), my left arm, one day, itched uncontrollably. All
the usual itching relief failed: hydrocortisone cream, steroid
lotion/ointment, spray topical anesthetic (Lanacaine, e.g.) and the
like.

The only way I found relief was mopping it with clear vinegar, and
overdosing on Benadryl. The vinegar provided temporary relief from the
itching, but depending on how severe it is/was (more below), it took
constant application to keep it at bay. The benadryl apparently
worked, or, possibly, it just knocked me out so I was unconscious.

Later, by a couple of weeks, however, this seems to be spreading. My
initial spot, the top of my left forearm, has now spread to all the
forearm, and creeping up my bi/triceps. Worse, I'm now experiencing
the same thing in my right arm.

Heavy activity, such as was the case yesterday during our splashing,
seems to keep it in check. The symptoms come most aggressively shortly
after going to sleep. This morning was the worst - every hour to 90
minutes I had to get up, vinegar, and take another benny. No relief.

It's impossible to sleep like this - and overdosing on Benadryl puts me
to sleep, which is one thing, but I have too much to do on the boat to
allow that to continue.

Anyone here successfully dealt with this problem? That is, found a
means to keep it at bay and still function?

Thanks.

L8R,

Skip, off to another vinegar batch and then try to get a nap so I can
function today